Alessandra Bassani

Mr. Bless

AP Language and Composition

18 September 2017

Kennedys Berlin Speech Rhetorical Analysis

In John F Kennedys Berlin speech, written during the time when the Berlin Wall divided

the city due to communism, he effectively appeals to his audience by pathos. This is because he

uses their emotions to convey his thoughts about the downfalls of communism in West Berlin in

1963. This was shown throughout the speech, but began was he stated Ich bin ein Berliner. By

saying this, he allowed his audience to see how he stands with them, and against the appalling

effects of communism. In addition, Kennedy used anaphora and epiphora multiple times which

added to his point that Berlin has been greatly affected by communism. He stated that there are

many people who do not see the negative effects of communism, but let them come to Berlin,

because they can witness it firsthand. He repeated those two phrases four times to prove to his

audience that he understood what they were going through, and that it wouldnt go unnoticed. He

also uses repetition when he concludes his speech, and he asks the Berliners to look beyond the

freedom... beyond the wall... beyond yourselves, because someday this freedom with spread

throughout the world. In addition, Kennedy used synecdoche when he described how the city of

West Berlin did not let communism damage them beyond repair. He said I know of no town, no

city, that had been besieged for 18 years that still lives with the vitality and the force... of the city

of West Berlin. He used West Berlin to represent the people, and their willingness to be free

from communist control. There was also a metaphor that Kennedy used, and it showed how the

West Berliners were not alone. He declares you live in a defended island of freedom, but your
life is part of the main. He compares West Berlin to an island, because the people may feel like

they are fighting off communism without any aid. However, by saying their life is part of the

main Kennedy is trying to show them that he is their to support them along with everyone in the

United States and other parts of the world. This metaphor conveys this, and has a deeper

meaning than what is explicitly stated. When Kennedy made this speech, he maintained eye

contact with his audience and did not read off of his script. He paused after certain sections to

allow the West Berliners to react to what he was saying, and be happy that he was there standing

with them. He was also very serious, and found no humor in what he was saying, because of

what communism did to the people. From Kennedys body language and facial expressions, one

could see how he wished to continue moving the West Berliners towards freedom, and

eventually spread it across the globe.